Gov. Robert Bentley today announced there will be no additional fee for Alabamians who choose the God Bless America license plate.

The state was to begin collecting a $50 fee for the plates for the first time starting in January.

"Approximately 1.1 million Alabamians have chosen to proudly display their patriotism with the God Bless America license plate," Bentley said in a press release.

His statement continues below:

"At a time when our country is facing so many unprecedented issues, these tags are a reminder of the blessings God has bestowed on our state and nation.

"After some concerns were raised that the God Bless America tag would cost 50 dollars in January, we reexamined the legislation that passed in the 2015 Regular Session and found it was not clear on whether the additional fees would apply to this tag.

"Based on those findings, I have ordered that no fee will be charged by the Department of Revenue for the God Bless America tag. Alabamians who want this license plate will be able to choose it at no additional cost as it has previously been offered."

According to the press release, the God Bless America tag "falls into a special category of distinctive license plates for which there is no current additional fee associated with the purchase of the tag.

"Legislation passed in the 2015 Regular Session increased the issuance fee for distinctive license plates but did not specify whether the additional fee should apply to the God Bless America tag.

"Given the ambiguity of the law, the Governor has ordered the Department of Revenue to advise local tag issuing officials in Alabama not to impose any fees on the issues of the God Bless America tag."

Additionally, the Governor's Office will continue to work with the Speaker of the House and other interested legislators during the next legislative session to further clarify of the law.